Staff Report to Council: Ladder 1 Replacement

BACKGROUND

Langford Fire has a 1998 E-One Aerial Platform Ladder Truck as part of the operational fleet. At 25 years old, the truck has reached its end of life as identified by the Fleet Replacement Plan and Fire Underwriter’s Survey (FUS) recommendations, and as such, is due for replacement in 2023.

As this is a significant piece of equipment with a long service life, staff evaluated the needs of the organization and the community for the next 25 years and determined that the new apparatus should meet the following criteria:

• Be at least 100’ at full extension
• Sit on a chassis that is a single axle
• Have at least 1500 GPM pumping capacity
• Have at least a 500 US Gallon supply tank

Should Langford issue a tender to have a manufacturer build a new aerial ladder truck meeting the above specifications, initial cost estimates are in excess of $2.5 million US as well as more than a 3-year build time. This exceeds the budget included in the 2022-2027 Five-Year Capital Plan and requires the existing apparatus to extend well beyond its recommended life.

COMMENTARY

With the challenges of both cost and time to build a new Aerial ladder truck, staff contacted Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus, a company that Langford Fire Rescue has purchased used apparatus from in the past. Brindlee identified that they have an Aerial that meets the required specifications, and would be priced below market value due to Langford Fire’s established relationship with the company.

A 2022 Pierce Enforcer 107’ Aerial Ladder is available for $1.3 million USD (market value $1.9 million USD). This vehicle was built as a 2018 and sent oversees as a demonstration vehicle, but never used in active duty. The apparatus was returned to Pierce where it was upgraded to North American standards, including a new engine. The work completed allowed Pierce to reclassify the truck as a 2022 and provide an extended vehicle warranty as if is a new vehicle.

The apparatus meets, or exceeds, all required specifications. It has a 107’ ladder at full extension, is a single-axle with an aluminum body, has a 500 US gallon poly water tank with a 2000 GPM Waterous single stage pump.

Should Council decide to proceed with the purchase, the vehicle would be available in early 2023 rather than waiting for 3 plus years for a replacement to Ladder 1 to be constructed. It is not recommended that the current E-One, due to its age and mechanical upkeep requirements, have its service life extended beyond 25 years.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

In the approved 2022-2026 Five-Year Financial Plan, the 2023 Capital Plan includes a replacement for Ladder 1 budgeted at $1.91 million CDN. Based on the current exchange rate, this 2022 Pierce Aerial would be less than the proposed budget at approximately $1.75 million CDN.

In addition, Brindlee has expressed interest in purchasing the 1998 E-One Ladder and the soon to be retired 2007 Pierce Contender Engine from Langford (this replacement has been approved, is being build and is expected to arrive by mid-2023). The yet to be determined trade-in value of both vehicles would lower the overall cost of the new aerial should a deal be reached.

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

There are no current legal implications.

OPTIONS

Option 1
THAT Council direct staff to proceed with the purchase of the 2022 Pierce Enforcer 107’ Aerial Ladder from Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus; and,

THAT Council direct staff to include the Aerial Ladder Truck replacement in the 2023-2027 Five Year Financial Plan to be funded from the Equipment Replacement Reserve.

OR Option 2
THAT Council direct staff to continue to research other used aerial apparatus;

OR Option 3
THAT Council direct staff to create a Request for Proposal for the purchase of a new aerial apparatus.

SUBMITTED BY

Chris Aubrey, Fire Chief/Emergency Program Coordinator

Concurrence:
Michael Dillabaugh, CPA, CA, Director of Finance

Concurrence:
Braden Hutchins, Director of Corporate Services

Concurrence:
Darren Kiedyk, Chief Administrative Officer